Talisia oliviformis (Sapindaceae) 

Common Names 

English: cotoperis, yellow genip 

Spanish: cotoperís, cotopriz, guayo 

Origin and Distribution 

The cotoperis is from Mexico through northern South America, and is rarely cultivated in other regions.

Botanical Synonyms 

Melicocca oliviformis. Also written incorrectly as Talisia olivaeformis.

Description

Medium sized tree, to 50 feet (15 m) tall. Leaves are alternate and compound, with 2-3 pairs of leaflets. New leaves are reddish. Usually dioecious. Flowers are small and whitish, and occur in terminal clusters. Fruits are ovoid, yellowish, and about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long. The pulp is whitish or cream colored, with one large seed.

Propagation and Culture

Propagation is by seed or air layer. The cotoperis is not cultivated commercially.

Cultivars and Related Species

Cultivars of cotoperis are not known.

There are 40 species of the genus Talisia, eight of which have edible fruit. Talisia esculenta and T. oliviformis are the most important species. Other edible species are T. hexaphylla from Venezuela and Trinidad, T. acutifolia, T. cerasina and T. cupularis from Brazil, T. guianensis from Guyana, and T. pedicellaris from the French Guiana and northern Brazil. 

Uses

The fruit is consumed fresh and used to make juices and jams. The seeds are eaten roasted.

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